NCT05817383

Berries, Bugs, and the Blues

Blueberries, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolites in Depressed Older Adults - A Pilot Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hebrew SeniorLife · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to investigate the impact of daily freeze-dried blueberry powder consumption on the gut microbiota, fecal short chain fatty acids, and depressive symptom severity in 40older, sedentary adults with depressive symptoms.

Detailed description

This study is an ancillary project to a currently funded randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week intervention in older, sedentary adults with depressive symptoms (IRB# Pro00064749). This specific project proposes distinct aims to the trial by gathering preliminary data on the synergistic impact of dietary fiber and anthocyanins (via freeze-dried blueberry powder) on the gut-microbiota, gut-derived metabolites, and depressive symptoms in older adults. Participants will then be randomized to consume either 48 g of freeze-dried blueberry powder (\~600 mg of anthocyanins and \~8 g of fiber) or 48 g of a nutritionally matched placebo powder (devoid of anthocyanins and fiber) each day for a total of 12 weeks. At baseline, participants will be undergo assessments for depressive symptom severity and provide a fecal sample for gut microbiota and short chain fatty acid measurement. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks of consuming the powder there will be study visits that assess depressive symptom severity. Additionally, a final fecal sample will be taken after 12 weeks of the intervention.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Freeze-dried Blueberry Powder	Participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder (\~ equivalent to 2 cups of fresh blueberries) daily for 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to save any powder packet wrappers as a means to measure compliance. They will also be instructed to avoid consumption of foods/beverages that are high in anthocyanins and/or fiber.
OTHER	Placebo Powder	Participants will be asked to consume 48 grams of a nutritionally matched placebo powder (that does not contain fiber or anthocyanins) daily for 12 weeks. Participants will be asked to save any powder packet wrappers as a means to measure compliance. They will also be instructed to avoid consumption of foods/beverages that are high in anthocyanins and/or fiber.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-05
• Primary completion: 2024-07-16
• Completion: 2024-07-16
• First posted: 2023-04-18
• Last updated: 2025-08-22
• Results posted: 2025-08-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States